Reading manager Steve Coppell was as usual keeping his feet on the ground after seeing his side move to within two points of Coca-Cola Championship leaders Wolves.

Neill Collins' own goal after 61 seconds proved enough for the Royals to grind out a 1-0 win at the Madejski Stadium and continue Wolves' poor recent form.

Collins was then dismissed in stoppage time after rowing with the linesman to complete a miserable evening for Mick McCarthy.

Coppell's side have the momentum in the race for promotion to the Barclays Premier League but Coppell was refusing to get carried away.

He said: "I'm not even thinking about the championship. You'll get my bland answer that it's one game at a time.

"Life is too precious to worry about May, I worry about what is going to happen tomorrow.

"But the result is all important. The goal was not exactly something we've been working on but you take what you can.

"There wasn't much space for anyone to play football. We are two similar sides in the way we play and the shape we keep so it was always going to be difficult to break the deadlock.

"There is a third of the season to go and it is all to play for. I see it as psychologically important but not significant as to who goes up. It is three points and at this stage it doesn't matter who it comes against."

Coppell again dismissed speculation linking winger Stephen Hunt

with a 5million move to Wigan and repeated that he has not received a solitary offer for any of his squad. He said: "It must have emanated from Stephen Hunt and his publicity machine.

"I'm not talking about speculation. When it's concrete I'll let you know but we have no offers."

Wolves boss McCarthy felt that his side competed well but was left to rue Collins' error.

He said: "Apart from the goal which is a defining moment I'm delighted with how we played.

"We scrapped to the bitter end and they've had a right go. I've no problems with them."

McCarthy was visibly fuming with the decision to send Collins off at the end and felt that his players were not protected.

He said: "There are certain individuals that I am raging with but they are not on my team.

"I haven't asked the question why he was sent off as I thought I'd better calm down first but I think he upset the linesman's feelings.

"That of course is more important than any bad tackles that were flying in.

"But there are 17 games left and 51 points to play for.

"We are still in the front and it's impossible to go through a season without a bad run.

"It's how we respond to it. There's nothing we can do about this now."